Sign.



PATENTED DEC. 1'5, 1903.7 E. B. BARTLETT. I

SIGN.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 22, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

FIG. 5

FIG. 2

No. 747,293. V

UNITED STATES Patented December 15, 1903.

PATENT FFICE.

A I EDWIN B. BARTLETT, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF, l ALEXANDER MAXWELL TOD, GEORGE REED PORTER, AND JOSEPH 'WEST ADAMS, DOING BUSINESS AS ADAPTABLE SIGN COMPANY, OF BOSTON,

' MASSACHUSETTS.

SIGN

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 747,293, dated, De ember 15, 1903. Application filed August 22, 1903. Serial No. 170,455. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWIN B. BARTLETT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new 1 and useful Improvements in Signs, of which 5 the following is a specification. My invention relates to certain improvements in signs, and more particularly to that [0 class of signs used for advertising out of doors.

The object of my improvement is to provide a changeable sign with large letters for open-air ad vertising purposes and of a strong,

durable, and simple construction having facilities for the proper adjustment of its letters-independently of each other, allowing the letters to be inserted, changed, or replaced, thus forming new words or reading,

as desired. I attain these objects as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a perspective View of the front of the sign, showing openings occupied in part by blocks. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the back of two blocks as they appear in the opening. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section taken on line A B in Fig. 1. Fig. at is an enlarged view of the front.of a block, showing a letter in the opening. Figs. 2 and 4 are broken, showing transverse sections.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

1 indicates a post or upright.

Any number of posts may be used. Extending from post to post and secured thereto are the rails 2 and 2. The wall 3, having rectangular openings 11, is secured to the said rails. Located a suitable distance above and parallel with each opening is the rail 2, and immediately below and parallel with eaehopening is the rail 2. 4represents blocks insertedin an opening. An iron plate the length of the opening is secured to the rail 2 and projecting downward below the rail turns under the rail obiquely upward, forming a l-shaped hanger r support 5, the under side of the rail 2 beg beveled to conform to the angle of the nger 5, as shown in Fig. 3. The rail 2 s a tongue 6 secured to its upper surface.

Secured to the back of each block dis an iron plate 7, projecting upward above the block, turning over the top of the block obliquely downward, adapted to lap over the edge of the support or hanger 5, the top of the block being beveled to the angle formed by the said plate 7. The bottom of each block has a groove 8, adapted loosely to the tongue 6. The weight of the blocks is sustained by the support or hanger 5, and said blocks are retained in position at the bottom by the said tongue and groove. Some of the blocks are provided with letters or characters. The letters may be painted on the blocks. I prefer to make them of wood or other material and fasten them to the blocks, the blocks without letters being used for filling the openings where letters are not desired, forming a wall without an .opening. One side of each block has a tongue 9, and the'opposite side has a groove 10, all the tongues 9. being adapted to the grooves 10, allowing the blocks to fit closely together, as shown by the vertical dotted lines in Fig. 2. The blocksA: being adjustable independently of each other may be inserted, changed, or replaced as desired, forming new words or reading matter as often as required. Any number of blocks as desired may be kept on hand ready for use.

I am aware that prior to my invention changeable signs have been made with blocks provided with letters adjustable independently of each other. I therefore do not claim such a combination broadly; but

What I do claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

In a changeable sign having a wall with rectangular openings, the combination of a rail above each opening and parallel therewith, a plate extending the length of the opening and secured to said rail, the lower edge of the plate projecting downward below the rail and turning under the rail obliquely upward, the under side-of the rail being beveled to conform to the angle of the plate, and a rail below each opening and parallel therewith provided with a tongue, with a block provided with a plate secured thereto projecting upward above the top of the block rail below the opening, all substantially as to and turning over the top of said block obset forth. liquely downward the top of said block be- In testimony whereof I have signed my ing beveled to the angle formed by the plate name to this specification in the presence of 5 the end of the plate being adapted to lap two subscribing witnesses.

over the edge of the plate on the upper rail, EDWIN B. BARTLETT. and extending flanges forming a groove in Witnesses:

the bottom of the block, said groove being JOSEPH W. ADAMS,

adapted loosely to receive the tongue on the GEORGE R. PORTER. 

